DeLand to keep fountain in Chess Park

The large waterfall at Chess Park's eastern edge has been a source of headaches for the city of DeLand.

News-Journal/ANTHONY DEFEO

ANTHONY DeFEOSTAFF WRITER

Published: Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 6:41 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 9:05 p.m.

DELAND -- The sound of cascading water in Chess Park is a source of relaxation for many in downtown DeLand, but it's created headaches for city officials.

The fountain is the centerpiece of the small, hidden park, located between the Volusia County Historic Courthouse and the Bert Fish Building, and has needed ongoing repairs. Water flows over a wall of small, quarter-sized stones, but every so often, the stones fall off or are picked off by vandals, according to Assistant City Manager Dale Arrington.

The recurring problem, as well as other mechanical issues, spurred the city to consider replacing or removing the fountain — a proposal that has been laid to rest, Arrington said.

"Everything's up and going. We found a very low-cost solution for it and we're determined that we're just going to let it run," she said.

Part of that solution included adding screens to prevent any fallen stones from being circulated into the fountain's pump system.

City staff will look at the fountain every few months and replace any missing stones, Arrington said. For fiscal year 2012-13, the city has budgeted $3,900 to maintain the fountain, not including labor costs.

"We got back with the original designer and they did not think that the integrity of the park would be maintained if we eliminate the fountain entirely," Arrington said.

The park was built by the county in 2009 and deeded to the city of DeLand, which maintains it. It includes stone tables with checkerboard patterns on top, allowing patrons to play chess. For many who work in downtown DeLand, the park serves as a quiet oasis or a secluded lunch spot.

Mike Buenzli, a Volusia County employee who often visits the park on his lunch hour, was relaxing on a bench there this week.

"It's a nice place all year to come here. In the summer, I'll go around the waterfall," he said. "In the winter, I'll hang around where it's sunny."

<p>DELAND -- The sound of cascading water in Chess Park is a source of relaxation for many in downtown DeLand, but it's created headaches for city officials. </p><p>The fountain is the centerpiece of the small, hidden park, located between the Volusia County Historic Courthouse and the Bert Fish Building, and has needed ongoing repairs. Water flows over a wall of small, quarter-sized stones, but every so often, the stones fall off or are picked off by vandals, according to Assistant City Manager Dale Arrington. </p><p>The recurring problem, as well as other mechanical issues, spurred the city to consider replacing or removing the fountain &mdash; a proposal that has been laid to rest, Arrington said. </p><p>"Everything's up and going. We found a very low-cost solution for it and we're determined that we're just going to let it run," she said. </p><p>Part of that solution included adding screens to prevent any fallen stones from being circulated into the fountain's pump system. </p><p>City staff will look at the fountain every few months and replace any missing stones, Arrington said. For fiscal year 2012-13, the city has budgeted $3,900 to maintain the fountain, not including labor costs. </p><p>"We got back with the original designer and they did not think that the integrity of the park would be maintained if we eliminate the fountain entirely," Arrington said. </p><p>The park was built by the county in 2009 and deeded to the city of DeLand, which maintains it. It includes stone tables with checkerboard patterns on top, allowing patrons to play chess. For many who work in downtown DeLand, the park serves as a quiet oasis or a secluded lunch spot. </p><p>Mike Buenzli, a Volusia County employee who often visits the park on his lunch hour, was relaxing on a bench there this week. </p><p>"It's a nice place all year to come here. In the summer, I'll go around the waterfall," he said. "In the winter, I'll hang around where it's sunny."</p>